Adoptive Cell Therapy for Pediatric Solid Tumors

Abstract

Patients with relapsed or refractory pediatric solid tumors have limited therapeutic options with little to no appreciable improvements in outcomes in over two decades. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a promising, targeted option for patients with the potential to minimize acute and long-term toxicities. In this review, we (1) characterize the development and manufacture different ACT approaches used for pediatric solid tumors, and (2) discuss the obstacles when targeting and treating solid tumors. The outcomes of the clinical applications of the various cell therapy products are also reviewed along with the future potential, including novel product development and combination therapies. In sum, this review serves as a comprehensive review of the clinical trial results evaluating the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of novel cell therapy products in the clinic for the treatment of pediatric solid tumors and seeks to provide new insights regarding ACT successes, failures, and challenges to benefit a rapidly expanding immunotherapy field.